Short interfering RNA-directed inhibition of hepatitis B virus replication

FEBS Lett. 2003 May 22;543(1-3):51-4. doi: 10.1016/s0014-5793(03)00400-9.

Abstract

RNA interference (RNAi) is the process by which double-stranded RNA directs sequence-specific degradation of mRNA. In mammalian cells, RNAi can be triggered by 21-nucleotide duplexes of short interfering RNA (siRNA). We examined effects of siRNA on hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication. Human hepatoma cells were transfected with HBV DNA and siRNA against HBV-pregenome RNA. Transfection experiments demonstrated that the siRNA reduced the amount of HBV-pregenome RNA and resulted in reduction of the levels of replicative intermediates and viral protein. Our results indicate that siRNA-mediated gene silencing inhibits HBV replication through suppression of viral RNA, which may be useful as a potential therapeutic modality.

MeSH terms

  • Blotting, Northern
  • Blotting, Southern
  • Culture Media
  • Hepatitis B Antigens / analysis
  • Hepatitis B virus / genetics*
  • Hepatitis B virus / physiology
  • Humans
  • RNA Interference*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics*
  • RNA, Viral / metabolism
  • Transfection
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Virus Replication*

Substances

  • Culture Media
  • Hepatitis B Antigens
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • RNA, Viral